Comprised of Division features, accolades and achievements, as well as valuable "In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)" news you can use, each edition of the newsletter highlights key information and resources across the Division's departmental, operational and service unit areas. Subscribe to the A&F listserv.

Dear Colleagues:

March marks the beginning of springtime and for division staff, spring is an opportunity to improve and enhance the services provided to the campus community. While student success is always at the top of mind, some of the division’s services extend to faculty and staff in our UH campus community. I'm proud of the hard work that each of you put in to ensure the best services are provided to the faculty and staff community.

Some of these services include Human Resources’ Spring into Financial Wellness workshops that will provide benefits-eligible employees an opportunity to speak with a variety of financial institutions to help them plan for their future.

Also in this month’s newsletter, you’ll find a feature story on the high-level initiatives and projects that the University Information Technology department is working on that aims to improve campus safety. Projects like adding more code blue devices across campus and the addition of more security cameras.

Other notable items in March’s newsletter includes:

• A look at the new Department of Campus Safety website.
• A feature story on the Office of Emergency Management’s Skywarn Spotter Training course.
• A reminder about the A&F Staff Appreciation Event happening on April 4th.
• Parking and Transportation Services’ new "Lot Spotter" Program

These are just some of the highlighted feature articles in this month’s newsletter. Please read and explore all the divisional updates and accolades to learn more about updates and key dates from A&F departments and services.

I am grateful to all of you and the outstanding work and support you provide daily to support our community and strengthen student success.

UIT Charters Campus Safety Upgrades and Initiatives 

Since 2020, University Information Technology (UIT) has chartered 36 large-scale projects that aim to improve campus safety and security. The projects include implementing security cameras and additional code blue phones across all parking lots, garages, and buildings, upgrading security cameras, upgrading the video management system, and implementing an emergency call button on the UH Go app, to name a few. Read more about the upgrades and initiatives that UIT has chartered and see what zones the cameras are being installed in by looking at the UH map.

A&F Staff Appreciation Event Reminder

A reminder that the A&F Staff Appreciation Event will be held on April 4 at 11 a.m. in the Student Center South, Houston Room. This event is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the 2023 accomplishments of A&F staff plus recognize employee service to the university. Learn more about the A&F Staff Appreciation Event by visiting the website.

Office of Emergency Management hosts Skywarn Spotter Training

The Office of Emergency Management hosted a Skywarn Storm Spotter Training in February, where attendees learned the basics of thunderstorm development, the fundamentals of a storm structure, how to identify potential severe weather features, and how to report severe weather to the National Weather Service.

The training returned to UH after taking a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ginger Walker, Director of Emergency Management, said before the pause, Skywarn Spotter Training was held annually at the university. Read more about OEM's Skywarn Spotter Training course.

Facilities/Construction Management Recognizes Teamwork

In September 2023, an exciting new recognition program was implemented to recognize Facilities/Construction Management teams working together to achieve the strategic mission of both the University of Houston and Facilities/Construction Management.

Enthusiasm for the new incentive program has been great in the six months since its release. A total of 210 coins have been distributed to over 200 different employees and the list is always growing. Read more about Facilities/Construction Management’s new incentive program.

Campus Safety Launches New Website

Campus Safety launched a brand new website that houses information about the four units that make up the department. Site visitors can find information about Environmental Health & Safety, Fire & Life Safety, Occupational Health Services, and the Office of Emergency Management.

The website offers visitors an opportunity to learn about each Campus Safety department and their roles on campus. Additionally, site visitors can research and sign up for the different training offered by the Campus Safety units. Training like CPR/AED Training, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training, and Laboratory Safety and Fire Safety training, to name a few. Learn more about these units by visiting the Campus Safety website.

Food Safety Conducts Outreach to Educate Campus Community

Campus Safety’s Food Safety Team met and educated over 400 students at three tabling events in February. Students answered basic food safety or fire safety-related questions and won prizes for answering questions correctly. Students met the health inspectors one-on-one, asked food safety-related questions, and understood the Food Safety Team’s role in keeping the University of Houston safe through the food establishment inspection program.

OEM receives VIP tour of the “Disaster City” Training Facility

The UH Office of Emergency Management was invited by Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) to participate in an exclusive VIP tour of Disaster City. TEEX is an innovative and world-renowned training service that has major programs dedicated to fire and rescue, law enforcement, and homeland security. Since its establishment in 1997, TEEX’s Disaster City has provided a 52-acre training facility dedicated to creating immersive scenarios for first responders. The realistic training experience is designed to enhance the response activities of emergency responders, healthcare professionals, students, and community members.

“I really enjoyed watching everything come together," said Ginger Walker, Director of the UH Office of Emergency Management. "There were so many agencies from all over the state and it was exciting to watch them all flow into a response effort.”

EHS Leadership Attends Annual Big 12 EHS Directors’ Meeting

Lisa Benford, UH Director of Environmental Health and Safety, was invited to the Big 12 EHS Directors’ meeting hosted by Oklahoma State University. This two-day event fostered an open discussion of the common challenges and successes related to safety at an institution of higher learning.

Some discussion topics included research laboratory inspections, employee engagement strategies, safety committees, safety training content, delivery and completion requirements, laboratory inspection software, regulatory agency visits, staffing challenges, safety equipment testing or verification procedures, and non-research animals on campus.

This meeting demonstrated how a network of safety professionals can come together to discuss avenues of promoting and securing a more significant safety culture on a university campus. Future meetings will be hosted at alternating Big 12 campuses.

Environmental Health & Safety Hosts 2nd annual Lab Safety Awareness Week

The 2nd annual Lab Safety Awareness Week, hosted by the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) department in collaboration with the Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA), occurred February 12-16, 2024. This significant event spanned various campus locations, including the Cullen College of Engineering, Health & Biomedical Science Building 2, the Science & Engineering Research Center, and, for the first time, the UH Sugar Land Campus. Read more about Lab Safety Awareness Week.

UHPD Officers Take Part in Crime Prevention Certification Program

UHPD departmental police supervisors (corporals, sergeants, lieutenants, captains, assistant chef and the chief) are obtaining a Basic Crime Prevention Certification from the American Crime Prevention Institute, the nation's leading authority in crime prevention training and education. The comprehensive training program covers comprehensive crime prevention strategies and techniques that can be implemented in any community. The program will enable UHPD to:

• Establish programs that reduce crime and improve quality of life
• Enhance relationships in the community with proactive services
• Market initiatives to citizens, businesses and community leaders
• Develop skills and qualifications to advance their career

Once the UHPD departmental police supervisors complete the course and exam, they will be recognized as a Certified Crime Prevention Specialist.

Cougar Cudos

To nominate a fellow staff member, fill out the Cougar Cudos Nomination Form.

Esmeralda Valdez to Moderate Panel at NACAS South CX 2024 

Dr. Esmeralda Valdez, Executive Director for University Services, will moderate the opening keynote panel at NACAS South CX 2024 in April. The keynote panel, How Can Auxiliary Services Help Achieve University Goals for Enrollment and Retention as We Face the Enrollment Cliff?, will delve into how universities can prepare for the inevitable drop in enrollment and how auxiliary services can support colleagues and students.

UH Coca-Cola Ambassador Wins Award

The University of Houston proudly acknowledges Nana Wordie, a Coca-Cola Ambassador to the UH community, for her outstanding contributions. The Outstanding Ambassador Awards honor exceptional performance by Coca-Cola Campus Ambassadors nationwide.

Nana was distinguished from a cohort of over 100 college students as the recipient of the esteemed Heart of the Ambassador Award. This accolade recognizes her as a true exemplar of the values associated with representing The Coca-Cola Company. Her recognition not only underscores her profound influence on her peers within the program and the broader Coca-Cola network but also the inspiring impact she has made on our university community.

Facilities/Construction Management Awards Pizza Party

In recognition of their willingness and ability to go the extra mile, Facilities/Construction Management held an appreciation pizza party for the Facilities Services team members who helped reduce freeze risks and aid in recovery during the 2024 January freeze.

UHPD Chief Ceaser Moore Attends the World Police Summit in Dubai

UHPD Chief Ceaser Moore attended the World Police Summit 2024 in Dubai. The event served as a platform for creating new business opportunities and facilitating networking among leading minds in the industry. Conference attendees heard from law enforcement professionals from across the globe and had the opportunity to view the latest technological advancements in law enforcement.

"Training is a continuous endeavor for professionals. The World Police Summit offered the most current strategies regarding drones, crime prevention, and other topics. It was very enlightening to learn about the newest drone capabilities and platforms since Dubai Police are seen as a world leader in such technology,” UHPD Chief Moore said.

“For instance, their goal is to have drones autonomously on the scene of events the rough their city in 60 seconds. Their current on-scene response time is approximately 2 minutes. Seeing drones used in such a capacity offers ideas for consideration.”

New Parking and Transportation Reporting Program for Zone E

Parking and Transportation has developed an easy and quick method for reporting issues or problems called Lot Spotter, that deployed this month, in all Zone E parking lots. Parking and Transportation has installed signage throughout the zone with a QR code that will take individuals to a short form they can complete to report issues that need attention in Zone E.

The form will allow individuals to submit a photo of the issue, use a map tool to identify the issue location, and provide specific details about the issue or concern. Reported issues will be assigned to the proper individual so they can be addressed quickly. After testing this service, the goal would be to roll this service out to other parking zones and garages to enhance communication between parking and the UH community. For emergencies, please call 9-1-1.

New Look for Duo Security

Duo, the two-factor authentication tool that lets UH employees log into university online resources, is getting a new look. Duo is introducing a redesigned and more secure authentication prompt, called the Duo Universal Prompt. This new prompt provides a simplified and accessible Duo login experience. One added new feature will see Duo display your last used authentication method when login in. This saves a click and makes the experience faster. Read more about the Duo Universal Prompt on the Duo blog.

Student Employee Awards | Call for Nominations

University Career Services is sponsoring this year’s Student Employee Appreciation Week and awarding four UH student employees award on April 11th. Qualifying nominees will receive recognition via website and social media as they are received and will be invited to attend the UCS Student Employment Week Events and SEW Awards Ceremony on April 11th during National Student Employment Week. Nominations will be open until March 29. Student employees can be nominated across four categories:

• UH Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year
• UH Graduate Student Employee of the Year
• Outstanding Leadership Award
• Innovation and Technology Award

Nominate your student employee by filling out the 2024 SEW Nomination Submission Form.

Catalyst Course: Tools for All Leaders

The 6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team course equips leaders with the essential skills and tools to get work done with and through other people. The content applies to leaders of all levels, whether they're new first-level leaders who need to transition successfully from individual contributors to leaders of others, or leaders who have been in their roles for some time and are looking for practical and relevant guidance on how to effectively lead and manage their teams. Interested learners can enroll in the CATALYST app before March 27th.

Spring Into Financial Wellness with HR Benefits Team

Join the HR Benefits Team on Friday, April 5th in the MD Anderson Library, Elizabeth Rockwell Pavilion for a variety of financial wellness workshops provided by Social Security, Fidelity, TIAA, Corebridge Financial, Voya, TexaSaver and more. The workshops are open to all benefits-eligible employees where HR team members will share information and answer your questions. Plan no to attend in-person to discover how they can assist you in planning for a successful future.

HR Reminder to Get an Annual Preventive Health Exam

Human Resources POWER UP Employee Wellness encourages you to make your health a priority by participating in an annual preventive health exam. HealthSelect of Texas and Consumer Directed HealthSelect SM members now have a NEW, convenient way to get an exam at no additional cost through the Catapult Health’s VirtualCheckup!

Easy, convenient, and ideal for those who presently do not obtain a yearly routine exam, the VirtualCheckup is completed in the privacy and comfort of your own home. To learn more, review program specifics and read helpful FAQs, visit healthselectoftexas.com.

e-Performance Reminder for Supervisors

Human Resources reminder for supervisors that the due date to finalize criteria for ePerformance is April 1. Managers should review all goals and determine which criteria will be included in the final evaluation.

Please note the following dates for the 2024 ePerformance documents:

• The due date for Supervisors to finalize criteria is April 1, 2024.
• The due date for Employee Self Evaluations is December 2, 2024.
• The deadline to complete 2024 ePerformance documents will be February 3, 2025.